Gopher Genealogy by Susan LeBlanc provides information about research, lectures, published articles and book reviews, and Serendipity Moments that are the results of searching for ancestors both personally and for clients. The objective of the blog is for others to receive insight and inspiration in doing their family history research. It is an evolving method of communication and input from reviewers is welcome.

Monday, May 30, 2011

This is what we call Memorial Day weekend, but the true focus should be on Monday. We are not much for doing anything fancy, maybe only a small family get together. My mother and stepfather have already been to four cemeteries and decorated nine gravesites, including my fathers. At my grandparents gravesite there were already flowers, which indicates that my aunt and uncle had been there. I try to go later in the day on Monday to see if anyone else has been to visit the sites.

It is incredible that this observance started following the Civil War and yet was not made a federal holiday until 1971. Supposedly it was originally held on May 30th, as that was a day of no previous military battles. The change in the name of the observance from Decoration Day to Memorial Day began in 1882. Today the focus is on all deceased relatives, whether they did military service or not. Our family includes several relatives who served in various branches of the armed services. I would like to share a little about them.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Last time I shared a story about the Drake branch of this family. In our research we covered the following surnames: Drake, Bates, Cox, Sallee, Croft, Hix, Lane, Sellers, Denny, Huisel, Tanzier, Hau, Meyer, Schute, Pohl, and Smith. Can you guess which ones are the German side of the family? Many early immigrants tend to stay within cultural/ethnic groups and it is not until a few generations later that the children start to marry people of other ethnic backgrounds.
Today I will try to answer for you the question, "Who were Joseph and Mary Howe who were buried in Chicago?"

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Why do we do family history/genealogy? That is a question that comes to my mind as I help people to search out their ancestors. What compels us to make the connections to those from whom we inherit and share so many things?

This week they ended up treating my knee with cortisone shots. Not the most wonderful of experiences. I just want the pain to go away. After the shot they sent me to the casting room for a brace. It took only a few minutes to get the brace. After the attendant asked me what type of work I do, and I said genealogy research, we had a lengthy discussion about why we do this type of research. The first attendant comes from an LDS background and has an extensive family history. The second attendant had researched back three generations and was looking for help. I provided research suggestions and a business card.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Part 1
The research for the Drake family began back in January 2010. The client visited our church nativity exhibit in December 2009 and had a quick tour of the family history center. When she returned in January she only wanted to answer one question - Who were Joseph and Mary Howe who were buried in Chicago? According to family information they worked in the Underground Railroad. This information had been passed onto the client by her grandmother on a little slip of paper that in the frenzy of moving was thrown away.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Today, I am finally going in to have an x-ray taken of my knee that has been extremely painful for a month. After trying the basic pain reducing or eliminating options, it seems to not be changing much.
In reflection of this I thought we should discuss medical family histories. How much do we know about the medical conditions of our immediate family or those who have passed on before us? Do we have a way of maintaining such information?

Friday, May 13, 2011

Writing this blog is a very compelling thing for me. Before I share the moment of the week, I want to thank those of you who have written to me with words of encouragement, advice and support. Thank you so very much.

It has been a fun week, spending five days on the Oregon coast, and then coming home to work on completing another major project. Each project I work on is unique and educational. Many of my projects are for people in their later years of life. Their desire is to tie up the loose ends of their family history and research, so their knowledge of their families will not be lost to future generations. Preserving this information in a format that can be passed on is a critical culmination to these projects.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

For mother's day I want to pay tribute to my mother and the women who practice the art of mothering.
My mother is amazing! Over the years we have shared a wonderful relationship that has influenced who I have become as a person. My siblings and I have been truly blessed to have parents who cared and sacrificed to provide for us a very balanced childhood. We were not rich in worldly things, but our needs were met and we appreciate the simple things in life. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

This serendipity moment is about another of my husband's lines that I have done some work on in the past year.
The LeBlanc family ancestors were mostly unknown by his family. I had always said I had enough research on my own lines and would leave his to our children to do. Then for some random reason I started poking around for information, and the more I poked the more intriguing it became. The first record I sent for was the marriage record for Delphis LeBlanc and Roena Gates, his grandparents.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

In honor of the royal wedding this week it is only fitting to reflect on the impact of British Culture and our Ancestral Homelands. Not everyone has English ancestors, but all of us have Ancestral Homelands. The culture of our ancestors living environments is part of our family history treasure. Becoming acquainted with them will help us to know our ancestors and the influence they have on us even today.

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